Agriculture Ministry in West Africa: Cedrick & Mary’s Journey
When Cedrick and Mary began exploring overseas ministry opportunities, they saw their experience and love for agriculture as a bridge for cross-cultural service Their practical farming skills were gifts God intended to use for His Kingdom.
Cedrick and Mary serve with SIM USA, working in agriculture in West Africa.
Through their work in farming, Cedrick and Mary are not only cultivating crops. They are sowing hope in a community, showing how everyday skills and faithful service can transform lives.
With SIM USA, Christians can use their professional skills in ministry, including roles such as medical work, teaching in a school, attending university, or starting a business. There is no limit on how God can use your gifts to serve Him.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
“When we were looking for organizations, we met with the SIM team in this country. They told us about an agriculture project they wanted to start, but they didn’t have anyone who knew about farming. So, we saw how our passion and their need really met,” Mary said. “We’re working with a primarily Muslim people group, and when people in that group come to Christ, they’re often persecuted and lacking the community structure they had when they were following Islam. Our ministry is helping support those believers. We have a farm that we hope will one day be profitable and can support discipleship and evangelism efforts.”
Even though the majority of people in their country farm, famine persists year after year. Farming is viewed as a traditional way of life rather than a trade that requires training. Many farmers have never been taught effective methods or strategies that could increase yields and build long-term food security. This is where Cedrick and Mary’s ministry meets tangible needs in the community.
“We want to create a farm that can train people in more effective farming methods, so that people can really be living in the abundance that God promised,” Mary said.
This reveals the heart of their work: meeting practical needs in global communities while pointing people to the light and love of Jesus.
How Jesus’ Parables Shape Cedrick and Mary’s Agriculture Work
Jesus frequently used agricultural references in His teachings and parables. The many references to farming and agriculture in the Bible inspire Cedrick and Mary’s ministry, where learning on the farm becomes a doorway to discipleship.
“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:3-9
When Jesus told this story of a farmer scattering seed, He was painting a picture of how God’s Word takes root in different kinds of hearts. Some soil resists growth, while other soil receives the seed and produces an abundant crop…but that, regardless, growth is the result of the Holy Spirit.
“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2
When Jesus declared that “the harvest is plentiful,” He was calling His followers to step into the work God is already doing. Cedrick and Mary take these words to heart as encouragement that the fields—both physically and spiritually—are ready for faithful workers.
These are just two out of the many references to agriculture in the gospel accounts, reminders that Jesus often spoke through the rhythms of planting, growing, and harvest. His words shape Cedrick and Mary’s agricultural work today, showing that ministry can take many forms beyond traditional church settings.
“Jesus uses a lot of parables that have to do with agriculture. He is called the Good Shepherd, and there’s the parable of the sower. So, there is a relationship between agriculture and the gospel,” Cedrick said.
“The idea of our farm is that it’s a place where people can come to receive agricultural training, but also can learn more about the gospel,” Mary added.
Working together creates a natural space for conversations and trust. As friendships deepen, so do opportunities to share the hope of Jesus.
Just as Jesus uses soil, seed, and the harvest to reveal spiritual truths, He also invites Christians to explore everyday jobs, like agriculture, as avenues for discipleship and ministry. Through their farm, Cedrick and Mary demonstrate that the gospel can grow wherever faithful workers are willing to plant seeds, nurture growth, and tend the harvest in creative, unexpected ways.
Use Your Professional Skills in Ministry with SIM USA
Jesus used references to everyday work as a basis for teaching spiritual truths. Similarly, ministries like Cedrick and Mary’s reveal that God can use any passion or profession to advance His kingdom. With SIM USA, Christians can sow hope in creative ways, using their skills to meet real needs while pointing people to Jesus.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
You, too, can plant seeds of hope wherever God leads you to serve, whether in agriculture, education, healthcare, business, or any skillset you have. Use your professional skills in ministry today with SIM USA!
Are you interested in serving the Lord with SIM USA? Connect with a coach to learn more.
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.